In 2024, the powerful potential of AI has taken hold

While 2023 may have been dominated by chatbot noise, 2024 ushered in a new era in which the powerful potential of AI in government becomes apparent – ​​along with the growing realization of its potential risks. Innovative applications have emerged, particularly in areas such as emergency response and citizen services. Artificial intelligence has become a popular new tool in fire detection, with advanced cameras combing landscapes for signs of smoke to improve early detection rates. Agencies are also using AI for constituent-facing work, such as reducing response times and eliminating permit processing backlogs.

Meanwhile, a cascade of task forces and councils has sprung up to create guardrails and policies on how state and local governments should use AI. This drive for control extended beyond individual agencies. The need for clear guidelines and responsible AI has spurred new collaborative efforts, such as the GovAI Coalition. Founded in San Jose in late 2023, this initiative calls on local governments to actively shape the future of AI by fostering an open discussion between various agencies. Providing resources such as AI fact sheets, vendor agreements, and use case templates has seen the coalition grow rapidly—more than 350 agencies are now members.

Meanwhile, within the agencies, the drive for accountability manifested itself in practical measures. Rules mandating AI inventories have become common to ensure transparency and oversight of AI tools. In addition, a trend has emerged in the creation of dedicated AI leadership positions, signaling a commitment to the integration of strategic and responsible AI.

2024 was also a stark reminder that the transformative power of AI depends on the quality of its fuel: data. While many governments have long embraced data-driven decision-making, the rise of artificial intelligence has exposed the critical need for meticulous data governance and hygiene. Experts warn that without thorough data audits, AI initiatives risk becoming costly failures. Dirty data can lead to biased, inaccurate or even harmful results that can erode public trust and waste valuable resources.

The year also gave way to the darker side of AI: the potential for amplified cyber attacks. Increasingly realistic deepfakes, voice cloning and hyper-personalized AI-powered phishing attacks threaten to exploit vulnerabilities more successfully than ever before. Nonprofits like CivAI are working to help, teaching policymakers what hackers can do with publicly available tools so agencies can build their cyber defenses accordingly.

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence has also raised concerns about a new digital divide. Those unfamiliar with AI may struggle to keep up, while biased training data may perpetuate existing inequalities in decision-making. But governments play an important role in avoiding this complication. Public libraries, for example, are leading the way by offering workshops and resources that enable citizens to understand and harness the potential of AI. In addition, AI offers a beacon of hope for those with disabilities, with the potential of emerging technologies to create a more accessible and inclusive digital landscape. The challenge is to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared by all, regardless of background or ability.

This story originally appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Government technology magazine. Click here to view the full digital edition online.